Leaking Head- is it the beginning of the end??

[northantsandy]

I have been told I have an oil leak on the head, it is losing oil but very slowly. Is this easily rectified by a specialist or is it more serious than that. It isnt dropping oil underneath, so must be resevoiring and burning off. Does anybody know the going rate for repairing this problem.
Thanks
Northantsandy

[toomanytoys]

Could you please tell us what engine you have as that helps us a lot

[kevtherev]

what ever engine it is....

is it the beginning of the end??

No

[northantsandy]

sorry guys
1.9 DG

advice gratefully received

Northantsandy

[kevtherev]

So if I read this right..
You have been told Oil is pooling somewhere on the head... then burning off?

Sorry but I can't think of anywhere on the head where it would be hot enough to burn away, apart from the exhaust
Does your van emit blue smoke on start up then clear?

[steveo3002]

is there a problem ..or is it just a garage has told you it leaking a bit

lots and lots of engines leak a little bit, its mostly no problem at all , if it starts loosing alot and leaving puddles then its time to consider fixing it

i wouldnt worry if its not spotting the driveway ..not many old vw are oil tight

[northantsandy]

Sorry Kev for I may have misled you
I have been told that I have an oil leak on the head and have been told to get someone to look at it, it is a 1.9DG but there are not spots of oil on my drive. It was my own theory that it must be burning off somewhere as no signs of leakage are visible on the drive. It is using a little oil (I am unsure of what is seen as an exceptable loss of oil due to age).
It sounds like if it doesn't get worse it is sort of acceptable.

Thanks

Northants

[ermie571]

Andy,

Keep a note of how much you are putting in. That will give the techies a base to go on...ie does it need a litre every 100, 200 500 0r 1000 miles? Then make sure you carry enough with you to get to the next supply of oil!

Ermie has lovely blue stinky exhaust when we start up in the morning....totally disgusting. Burning off oil that has slipped through the worn rings I have been told. But she soon runs clear....and passes MOT emissions.

Also remember that if you keep topping it up to max, it is likely (according to reports on here) to burn down to half mast quite quickly....no idea why, but peeps have reported it. Then say at half mast quite happily. 1 litre will take it from one notch to the other when cold.

Remember also that your bus hadn't been used much prior to you having it. Its coming back to life!!

Em
x

[kevtherev]

Also remember that if you keep topping it up to max, it is likely (according to reports on here) to burn down to half mast quite quickly....no idea why, but peeps have reported it. Then say at half mast quite happily. 1 litre will take it from one notch to the other when cold.

good point Emma
My engine "removes" any attempt to keep it on the max level, so I stopped trying.
It's now stationary half way up

[northantsandy]

Thanks Emm/Kev
I have been monitoring it for the last fortnight and it has stayed steady at halfway betwen max and min. Hopefully it will stay at that level, and not drop further towards min.
Emm, when are you arriving at the mini meet at your parents, I will probably arrive on the Friday evening, any ideas about everyone else. Looking forward to it. Kids can't wait.

Andy

[toomanytoys]

If its on the head then its most likely the rocker cover gasket..

How wet is the oily patch? enough for dirt to stick to it? or wet enough to be very glossy?

If it isnt leaving oil on the drive then I suspect its very minor..

Post a pic of the offending area